Zamioculcas plant named ‘HANSOTI13’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Zamioculcas  cultivar named ‘HANSOTI13’ is disclosed, characterized by unique compact growth, an urn shaped plant shape and glossy, dark green leaves. The new variety is a  Zamioculcas , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Zamioculcas zamiifolia.

Variety denomination: ‘HANSOTI13’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofZamioculcas, botanically known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘HANSOTI13’. The new Zamioculcas isa naturally-occurring branch mutation from an unnamed, unpatentedvariegated selection of Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The new Zamioculcas wasdiscovered and selected by the inventor, Ashish Hansoti as a single,green compact leaf from this variegated plant grown in a simple plasticgreenhouse at Vangani, near Mumbai in India in the year 2009.

Asexual reproduction of the single leaf by vegetative cuttings atVangani, near Mumbai in India showed variable characteristics. Furtherrepeated selection for specific characteristics displayed by‘HANSOTI13’, especially short internode space, resulted in the newZamioculcas which is stable and reproduces true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘HANSOTI13’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘HANSOTI13’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘HANSOTI13’ as a new and distinct Zamioculcascultivar:

-   -   1. Very short internode spaces giving compact growth and more        numerous leaflets per leaf.    -   2. Stiff, strong and upright leaves with characteristic        curvature of petiole and rachis resulting in overall urn shaped        plant.    -   3. Shiny dark green-colored leaves.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘HANSOTI13’ are similar to the parent, anunpatented, unnamed, Zamioculcas zamiifolia in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However the new variety, ‘HANSOTI13’ differs from theparent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Much more compact growing that parent variety.    -   2. Space between leaflets much reduced.    -   3. Leaves smaller and thicker. Darker green under same cultural        conditions.    -   4. Leaves more upright (or vertical) with typical S shaped curve        of rachis.    -   5. Growth rate is as fast or faster than the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘HANSOTI13’ is best compared with the unpatented commercial varietyZamioculcas zamiifolia, the new variety, ‘HANSOTI13’ differs in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety have leaflets with a very short        internode space between leaflets and so many more leaflets per        leaf than the typical commercial Zamioculcas zamiifolia leaf of        similar length.    -   2. Plants of the new variety display an overall compactness and        are short in stature even though eventually they can grow to 50        cm or more.

‘HANSOTI13’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Zamioculcaszamiifolia ‘Zamicro’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,314. ‘HANSOTI13’ differs inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Zamioculcas have a very short internode        space between leaflets and so are more compact and shorter than        plants of the cultivar ‘Zamicro’, with more leaflets per leaf of        similar length. Per 20 cm of leaf, the new variety has 1.5 to 2        times more leaflets.    -   2. Plants of the new variety produce larger leaflets, averaging        6.0 cm in length, compared to 4.6 in length for this comparator.        Average leaflet width of the new variety is 3.0 cm compared to        1.7 cm leaflet width of ‘Zamicro’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Zamioculcas showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Zamioculcas.

FIG. 1. comprises a side perspective view of a typical plant of‘HANSOTI13’.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a typical whole leaf of ‘HANSOTI13’.

FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison of the leaf of ‘HANSOTI13’ with that ofthe, widely grown known variety Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Foliage ofZamioculcas zamiifolia is the larger leaf on the left of the figure.Foliage of the new variety is the small leaf on the right of the figure.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants of the new Zamioculcas grown in Vangani, nearMumbai, India in a poly-covered, simple greenhouse during the summer andautumn and under conditions which closely approximate commercialproduction in tropical countries but warmer and drier than many westerngrowing areas. During the production of the plants, day temperaturesranged from 25° C. to 38° C., night temperatures ranged from 15° C. to25° C. and light levels under diffuse plastic and 50% shade net.

Plants had been growing in 13-cm containers for about 13 months when thephotographs and the description were taken. In the detailed description,color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. It should be noted that given time and pottinginto larger pots the cultivar ‘HANSOTI13’ will grow up to 50 cm tall andmaybe taller. However, even at this size the core characteristics ofshort internodes, more leaves per leaf, stiff and strong petioles andoverall urn shape of plant continue to hold true.

-   Botanical classification: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘HANSOTI13’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical: By vegetative leaf cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots, summer: About 4 weeks at temperatures of    28° C. to 35° C.-   Time to initiate roots, winter: About 6 weeks at temperatures of    15° C. to 25° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant, spring/summer: About 20 weeks    at temperatures of 22° C. to 30° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant, autumn/winter/spring: About 30    weeks at temperatures of 20° C. to 25° C.-   Root description: Free branching, dense. Fleshy when plants mature;    white to light brown in color. Plants have large, shapeless light    brown tuber from which roots & leaves arise.

PLANT

-   Plant habit: Upright and compact stiff leaves in rosettes; pinnately    compound leaves developing in basal rosettes; typically about three    basal rosettes develop per plant. Appropriate for 8.5-cm and larger    containers.-   Plant shape: Whole plant urn shaped.-   Plant height: About 25 cm from top of pot to highest leaf.-   Plant spread: About 25 cm in 13 cm pot.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching: Non-branching with leaves arising as a rosette or clump    directly from tuber.-   Number of clumps: Typically 2-3 per plant.-   Number of leaves per clump: 3-6 leaves.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Pinnately compound; about three to six leaves            per basal rosette each with about 12-24 leaflets; leaflets            have short petiolules of 4-5 mm.-   Leaflet:    -   -   Shape of blade.—Obtuse.        -   Aspect.—Concave or reflexed.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Average length.—6 cm.        -   Average width.—3 cm.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, very glossy.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous, matte.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green            144A. Young foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green            144A. Mature foliage upper side: Near R.H.S.            Yellow-Green-147A. Mature foliage under side: Near R.H.S.            Yellow-Green 146A.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color: Upperside: Near R.H.S.            Yellow-Green-147A. Underside: Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green-147B.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 17 cm, continuing as rachis bearing            the leaflets.        -   Width.—At narrowest point: Approximately 10 to 15 mm. At            widest point: Approximately 20 to 25 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A and 148A, irregularly            blotched with Greyed-Green N189A.        -   Strength.—Very strong, stiff and succulent.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.-   Rachis:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 15 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 12 mm tapering to 5 mm.        -   Color.—Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green 148A.        -   Other characteristics.—Tapers to end in a pair of leaflets.-   Petiolule:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 4 to 5 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Color.—Near R.H.S. Greyed-Green N189A.        -   Other characteristics.—Connects leaflets to rachis,            continuing into the leaflet as the mid-rib.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flowering: Not observed to date.-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the    normal diseases found in Zamioculcas has been observed.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: High drought resistance, can    be kept dry for extended periods without appearance of damage.-   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date.-   Other distinctive characteristics: Overall commercially interesting    appearance. Dark green glossy leaves, very short internode spaces    giving a lot of leaflets on each rachis and a genuine compact look.    Looks like a plant of Zamioculcas zamiifolia treated with strong    growth retardant, but is a naturally compact stable mutation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Zamioculcas plantnamed ‘HANSOTI13’ as herein illustrated and described.